BY SHADRACK NYAKOE
Nairobi MCA’s have denied assaulting Nairobi County Chief Finance Officer Halkano Waqo.
On Tuesday, members of the Education Committee led by Ziwani MCA Millicent Mugadi appeared before the Powers and Privileges committee led by Githurai MCA Naftali Mathenge.
The committee had summoned the MCAs to explain why they assaulted Waqo last month.
Waqo claimed the MCAs assaulted him after he refused to address the media over the delayed bursaries to Nairobi’s poor students.
The bursary money was wired to schools accounts last week.
He claimed MCA’s forced him to address the media yet he was ill prepared and not ready.
A total of 11 witnesses were summoned by the committee.
They included Nairobi County Education CEC Lucia Mulwa and five staff members of the Nairobi County Assembly.
Some denied Waqo was roughed up whereas others admitted he was manhandled by the Reps.
On 26th June, Waqo wrote to the Assembly’s leadership, the Nairobi County Secretary Leboo Morintat and Finance CEC Charles Kerich that he was manhandled by the Reps.
“I am constrained to face any committee of the Assembly due to open threats on my life. Until I get your assurance, please excuse me from appearing before any committee,” read his letter.
Since June 26, 2019 Waqo has not attended any committee sittings.
Following his complaints, Acting Speaker Chege Mwaura ordered the Powers and Privileges Committee to investigate the matter and come up with a report on what happened.
Appearing before the Powers and Privileges committee, Waqo said that he was assaulted by Kariobangi North MCA Julius Maina Njoka and his Dandora IV counterpart Francis Ngesa.
He said MCA’s were forcing him to address the media concerning the delayed disbursement of bursaries for Financial Year 2018/19 and their pending per diems.
Waqo blamed Education Committee chairperson Millicent Mugadi for not calming her members.
Mugadi told the committee Waqo was not roughed up.
Highrise MCA Kennedy Oyugi told the committee MCA’s were infuriated by lack of proper explanation on why the bursaries had delayed thus the fracas.
He said MCA’s were having it rough in the wards.
Education CEC Lucia Mulwa said she never hid under a table as reported earlier.
“The meeting ended well after a heated discussion and was adjourned by the chairperson,” she said.
Chief Sergeant At Arms Gideon Ndunda said CCTV cameras will be installed in all the committee rooms to monitor the Reps.
He said each Committee will have at least three Security Officers (Sergeants) while sitting.